Page 25 of Kilted Seduction
Thora swallowed. She wasn’t sure how much Laird Ross would remember about Clan MacLeod, but she didn’t dare let him guess. She dropped her gaze and allowed her cheeks to flush slightly, as if shy or embarrassed. “Och, nay me laird. Certain sure I’d remember meeting a man such as yerself, and I’ve nae such memory. And until I came tae Aedan’s castle tae be his bride, I’d never so much as set foot within the walls.”
“Och, I’d near forgotten.” Laird Ross sipped at his cup, his sharp eyes never leaving Thora’s face, even as he addressed Aedan. “I was somewhat surprised I didnae receive an invitation tae the wedding.”
“There was nay large ceremony.” Aedan answered smoothly. “Thora’s maither. Was taken very ill and so we had a very fast one with very few people attending.” His expression changed, taking on a slightly chagrined look. “’Twas nae till after the marriage that I realized that being a laird meant I had more tae think about than the whims o’ my bride.”
“But, surely ye must have had witnesses.” Laird Ross tipped his head.
“Me braithers.” Thora offered shyly. “Me elder braither discovered our relationship, and he summoned the priest right then.”
Laird Ross frowned. “Did ye nae just say…?”
“Och I did.” Aedan nodded. “Her brother caught us, and he summoned the priest. But ‘twas more a matter o’ me makin’ anoath tae tak’ her as wife within the month, as he put it. ‘Twas our decision tae make it a wedding.”
“Aye. Me maither wanted to assist, and me other siblings,” Thora agreed.
“And the witnesses fer yer side, Laird Cameron? Surely yer Council o’ Elders would demand something…”
“We have talked about a second, more official ceremony, at the castle… sometime in spring.”
“Aye. Mayhap fer the Equinox rites.” Thora nodded. “Aedan swears he will help me get used tae crowds afore then.” She smiled whimsically at the older laird. “’Tis part o’ why he agreed tae come tae the Yule celebration. He said ‘twould be a good way fer me tae meet his allies and close friends, as well as beginnin’ tae get used tae the things expected o’ a lady…”
The hitch in her words wasn’t entirely affected, nor was the blush that bloomed across her cheeks. “I… I never thought… ye ken… bein’ just a village lass who happened tae meet me laird one day….”
“Yes. O’ course.” Laird Ross’s voice was smooth, but there was a hint of suspicion still in his eyes as he drank another mouthful of wine. “Ye must tell me how ye met.”
She couldn’t let him know of her powers.
Laird Ross was the type of man who would believe in anything that might give him more power - including her Gift of Foresight..
She spoke before Aedan could. “Och, ‘twas the strangest thing… like fate. I was visiting a wood-keepers cottage and he rode up and near fell out of the saddle. He’d been taken ill by something… I dinnae ken what. So I took him inside till he recovered… and he said many things tae me while he was dazed…”
There was a wry twist to Aedan’s smile that made it clear he knew quite well she was twisting the truth of his ‘kidnapping’, but he supported her story. “Aye. Some servant lass was taking valerian for an injury and let some o’ it slip intae me mead. I didnae ken, and I started tae feel dazed while out huntin’. Rode off track while Mac and me men were chasin’ down a deer, and near fell off the horse in front o’ her.”
Whatever else Thora MacTavish was, she was clearly an excellent storyteller. If he hadn’t known the truth, he would almost have believed the story she guided him into telling. It was all so natural, so simple, the sort of thing that might happen, even if it was unlikely.
Lachlan Ross looked interested, so Aedan decided to elaborate a little. The more details they could supply, the better. Especially if there were grains of truth scattered throughout.
“I’d never seen any lass like her.” He offered his host an amused smile. “Ye ken I dinnae hold much with stories o’ fey creatures and Fair Folk in the moors, but when I first opened my eyes, I near thought I’d been wrong all these years.”
“And he said as much. I kent it was his dazed state talking, but when he woke properly…” Thora trailed off.
“When I woke properly, I realized that the truth was better than such tales, fer the lovely lass was real. We spoke for a time, and in speakin’...” Aedan trailed off with a shrug. “I couldnae get her out o’ me mind after, and so we kept meeting. One thing led tae another… then we wound up taegether in the middle o’ a storm, and…”
He stopped, as if recalling his company, and the fact that his ‘bride’ was a shy young woman. He tipped his head with a slow smile. “Ye ken the way the story goes from there, I suspect, me laird.”
“Aye. I suppose I dae.” Lachlan nodded. “But still… I could swear I’ve met ye afore. Are ye sure I’ve never encountered ye?”
“Who’s tae say? I’ve traveled with me braither at times, and I’m sure me laird has seen many places, and many villages.” Thora dipped her head, as if shy or embarrassed. Aedan was amazed at how a lass of such strong temperament could behave so meekly at will. “But if ye saw me, me laird, then I’m afeared ‘twas from afar, and we never spoke. I would recall otherwise.”
“I suppose ‘tis true enough. And Laird Cameron isnae wrong tae compare yer lovely person tae one o’ the Fair Folk… perhaps I’ve had a closer encounter with one o’ the maidens Underhill than I realize.” Lachlan laughed, and Aedan forced himself to laugh as well.
“Perhaps, me laird. Many things are possible.” Thora nodded.
Aedan held back a snort. Why any man like Lachlan Ross would believe in such tales… as well to believe in ghosts on the moors, or selkies in the sea. Still, it wasn’t his place to question the older laird’s judgment.
A bell rang then, and Lachlan rose to his feet. The Hall quieted at once as the laird held up his goblet. “I welcome ye all, ladies and gentleman, clan-folk and Highlanders all, tae this celebration o’ Yule. May the ending o’ the year be merry, and the next span o’ seasons prosperous fer all!”
There was a roar of acclaim. Aedan joined in the toast, though he doubted that Lachlan Ross truly intended for the year to be prosperous for anyone save his clan. His clan, and himself as Laird Ross.
